Right from the start, we can see that Erika’s relationship with Craig is problematic. They’ve been together since college. They’ve never discussed definite plans for the future but the length of their affair implies drifting into predictable patterns.
So one night, he proposes marriage. After five years with him, you’d think she’d be thrilled. Many other women would have been chafing at the delay. But Craig has been waiting to be an established success (not Erika, the self-made woman—himself). He’s got money now so he can buy her a ring she deserves. They can have the proper kind of wedding, as long as his mother gets her way in the arrangements. Craig takes after her that way, as Erika has come to know.
In a few short sentences, we can see that Erika and Craig’s future has problems looming on the horizon. His proposal is, on the surface, romantic: a lovely dinner, an engagement ring at the bottom of her wine glass, a marriage proposal. Yet the words he uses in his proposal are those of monetary gain, brisk business arrangements and a subtle warning that another feisty female is to make things happen. While Erika speaks of love, Craig does not.
Erika’s trip to Italy contains all the stereotypical images one would expect in this scenario: winding roads, a garrulous cab driver who speaks only voluble Italian, the lush beauty of an Italian countryside, a handsome Italian stud waiting to greet her and a self-contained vineyard that provides its own wine, truffles and olive oil. But it’s still astonishing to her, this city woman who can’t imagine a life away from the thrilling hustle and bustle of New York.
We are swept up in the author’s description of two very different worlds. We have the potential conflict between Erika’s go-getting business in New York and a rustic but equally rewarding life in Italy. If this is a stereotypical romantic novel, the setup is clear and the outcome seems predictable. But the opening chapters are quite pleasant to read.
So one night, he proposes marriage. After five years with him, you’d think she’d be thrilled. Many other women would have been chafing at the delay. But Craig has been waiting to be an established success (not Erika, the self-made woman—himself). He’s got money now so he can buy her a ring she deserves. They can have the proper kind of wedding, as long as his mother gets her way in the arrangements. Craig takes after her that way, as Erika has come to know.
In a few short sentences, we can see that Erika and Craig’s future has problems looming on the horizon. His proposal is, on the surface, romantic: a lovely dinner, an engagement ring at the bottom of her wine glass, a marriage proposal. Yet the words he uses in his proposal are those of monetary gain, brisk business arrangements and a subtle warning that another feisty female is to make things happen. While Erika speaks of love, Craig does not.
Erika’s trip to Italy contains all the stereotypical images one would expect in this scenario: winding roads, a garrulous cab driver who speaks only voluble Italian, the lush beauty of an Italian countryside, a handsome Italian stud waiting to greet her and a self-contained vineyard that provides its own wine, truffles and olive oil. But it’s still astonishing to her, this city woman who can’t imagine a life away from the thrilling hustle and bustle of New York.
We are swept up in the author’s description of two very different worlds. We have the potential conflict between Erika’s go-getting business in New York and a rustic but equally rewarding life in Italy. If this is a stereotypical romantic novel, the setup is clear and the outcome seems predictable. But the opening chapters are quite pleasant to read.